CUT’s Product Development Technology Station (PDTS) recently conducted a two-day workshop to Cosmo City youth in Randburg, Johannesburg as a way of ploughing back to the community and skills transfer. The youngsters, aged between 14 and 19 years, are high school learners who have shown interest in drawing and sketching, an expertise within the PDTS.  

The youngsters are part of a youth programme called “Raising Giants” initiated by Ms Kgomotso Khosa. Raising Giants is an organisation that mentors and grooms the youth to realise their hidden potential where they think none exists. Mr Vusi Skosana of Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), a funding entity for PDTS and Raising Giants, approached PDTS to present the sketching and drawing course to the interested youth in the Cosmo community and 19 learners benefitted from the workshop. The two-day scope of the course covered:  the basics of sketching for concept development including  topics such as drawing styles, project planning, design balance, shading and texture, isometric drawing and perspective, shadows, contour lines and the application of these skills. Learners were also exposed to various innovation projects from CUT, which bring about socio-economic development in the Central Region. 

A holistic approach on product development and entrepreneurship was also discussed. The course facilitator from CUT, Ms Miralde Kotzé said, “kids were so impressive, well-spoken, and mannered with unique talents and great drawing skills! The excitement was remarkable and the feedback was most inspirational from both the students and their mentors.” At the end of the workshop, participants received a certificate of completion and a booklet containing all their sketches and drawings done for the entire duration of the course. “Although acquiring a certificate might have a boost in one’s career path as a skill, the certificate cannot be used by learners as a qualification,” Ms Kotze concluded. 

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Youth from the initiative “Raising Giants” on day 2 of a Sketching and Drawing workshop presented by PDTS.